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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month ever since the previous manager departed, securing six wins out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team for the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos see off Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win during his first match in charge.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At least he inherits a team with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success during games over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a refresh for me in many ways, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."